Outdated outlook or modern vision ?, Brussel - Hoofdinhoud

COP24, coal and the Polish Presidency of the next UN climate negotiations

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INTRODUCTION

The new scientific report on climate change shows that limiting global warming well to 1.5°C is still possible but that it will require action and a lot of political courage. In Europe, climate impacts are more and more tangible and yet the majority of politicians continue to support dirty energies, this despite of the fact that many alternatives do exist. European governments and particularly Poland that will lead the next UN Climate negotiations in December must show that they are serious about the future and the safety of their citizens. In this event, the Greens will look at the latest science of climate change, assess the latest effort done at EU level and discuss one of the most pressing issues: the quick phasing out of coal in a green and just way.

CONFERENCE PROGRAMME

Welcome and opening remarks (10 min) - Bas Eickhout MEP

• I. 

  The latest climate science and future EU’s strategy: Which way forward?

Moderation: Bas Eickhout MEP

Guest speakers:

• - 

  Bert Metz, Climate policy expert - The latest science on climate change - key findings from the latest IPCC report
• - 

  Wendel Trio, Director, CAN Europe - Europe’s current objectives and the EU’s long-term strategy

Discussion (15 min)

II. Coal at global and EU level - why has tackling coal become such a pressing issue?

Moderation: Florent Marcellesi MEP

Guest speakers:

• - 

  Antje Grothus, Member of the German Coal Commission and Klima-allianz on the current work within the German Coal Commission (tbc)
• - 

  Dr Simon Evans, deputy editor and policy editor at Carbon brief - Coal: the situation in the world and in Europe

  (map of world coal power plants)

• - 

  Vlatka Matkovic Puljic, Health and Energy officer - HEAL - the impact of Europe’s dependence on coal on the health of European citizens

Discussion (15 min)

III. Poland’s narrative on energy: which energy model for the future Presidency of the UN climate negotiations?

Moderation: Rebecca Harms MEP

Guest speakers:

• - 

  Patryk Bialas, local councilor in Katowice - The situation of Poland and the just transition - the example of Katowice
• - 

  Joanna Flisowska, coal policy coordinator, CAN Europe - The importance of phasing out coal in a green and just manner

Discussion (15 min)

Conclusions: Bas Eickhout MEP